In addition to his on-court honors, Rueben Chinyelu was also the 2026 SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
Chinyelu Set to Return for Senior Season
Thursday, May 21, 2026 | Men's Basketball
Reigning national defensive player of the year Rueben Chinyelu will play his senior season for the Florida Gators in 2026-27, he announced on Thursday. UF's four starters with remaining eligibility are among 11 players returning from the Gators' 2025-26 SEC championship team, with more than 80% of Florida's scoring set to be back.
Chinyelu averaged a double-double in 2025-26 with 10.9 points and 11.2 rebounds per game, becoming the first Gator in 50 years to average double-figure rebounding. Chinyelu has started every game over the past two seasons since arriving in Gainesville, helping lead UF to the 2025 NCAA and SEC Tournament championships and the 2026 SEC regular season championship and a 63-12 (.840) record over his 75 games.
From Enugwu-Agidi, Nigeria, Chinyelu set Florida single-season records last season with 19 double-doubles and 137 offensive rebounds, and his 393 total rebounds were the third-highest total in program history behind two Neal Walk seasons.
Chinyelu cleaned up in postseason honors, most notably becoming the first Gator to earn Naismith and NABC National Defensive Player of the Year honors. He earned SEC Defensive Player of the Year and SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year recognition as well as All-SEC and SEC All-Defensive Team accolades.
In his two seasons at UF, Chinyelu has totaled 620 points and 655 rebounds, which rank ninth and second respectively all-time among Florida transfers.
2026-27 Season Ticket Deposits
Get in line for season tickets by placing a $100 deposit per seat and you will be contacted to purchase as soon as tickets are on sale!
Returning season ticket holders from the 2025-26 season need not place a deposit. Your seats are being held for you and renewal information will be sent to you.
Chinyelu averaged a double-double in 2025-26 with 10.9 points and 11.2 rebounds per game, becoming the first Gator in 50 years to average double-figure rebounding. Chinyelu has started every game over the past two seasons since arriving in Gainesville, helping lead UF to the 2025 NCAA and SEC Tournament championships and the 2026 SEC regular season championship and a 63-12 (.840) record over his 75 games.
From Enugwu-Agidi, Nigeria, Chinyelu set Florida single-season records last season with 19 double-doubles and 137 offensive rebounds, and his 393 total rebounds were the third-highest total in program history behind two Neal Walk seasons.
Chinyelu cleaned up in postseason honors, most notably becoming the first Gator to earn Naismith and NABC National Defensive Player of the Year honors. He earned SEC Defensive Player of the Year and SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year recognition as well as All-SEC and SEC All-Defensive Team accolades.
In his two seasons at UF, Chinyelu has totaled 620 points and 655 rebounds, which rank ninth and second respectively all-time among Florida transfers.
2026-27 Season Ticket Deposits
Get in line for season tickets by placing a $100 deposit per seat and you will be contacted to purchase as soon as tickets are on sale!
Returning season ticket holders from the 2025-26 season need not place a deposit. Your seats are being held for you and renewal information will be sent to you.
Players Mentioned
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